Americorps Grant Money Heading for Northern Maine

Almost $352,000 in grant money was recently awarded to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Conservation Corps, and some of that money will be used right here in Northern Maine to create and maintain sustainable trails in Maine State Parks and public lands.

The grant money comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service, and was presented to three Maine AmeriCorps organizations.

Governor Paul R. LePage welcomed the news that more young people will have the opportunity to work in Maine communities. "This is an excellent opportunity to serve Maine communities and get the skills and confidence that comes from working with others to achieve goals," said Governor LePage. "The Maine Conservation Corps has done tremendous work making positive contributions to our great State and Nation."

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Walt Whitcomb also welcomed news of the award and highlighted the important work that the MCC does on behalf of Maine citizens. "81 AmeriCorps national service members will help build infrastructure in our public places that generations of visitors can enjoy," said Whitcomb. "With hard work they build the trails, clear the brush and learn hands-on conservation techniques. Since 1983, MCC-supported projects have helped make America's beautiful parks more accessible to visitors."

Some of the scheduled summer trail projects that AmeriCorps national service members will accomplish here in Northern Maine include:

• Deboullie Mountain/Deboullie Public Reserved Land
•  Saint Francis Barnard Mountain/Elliotsville Plantation, Inc.
• Patten Number 4 Mountain/Little Moose/Eagle Rock
• Greenville

The MCC's four-fold mission is to: accomplish conservation projects, create conservation employment, provide conservation education, and engage conservation volunteers.